The effect of amygdala kindling on spontaneous and cocaine-induced motor activity and lidocaine seizures.
Interactions of amygdala kindling and drug effects were explored in two experiments. Pretreatment with cocaine (40 mg/kg, IP) for 10 days did not significantly affect the rate of amygdala kindling compared to saline or non-kindled controls. In contrast, daily amygdala kindling with 200 microA for 0.5 s for 20 days substantially altered subsequent behavioral responses in a long-lasting fashion. Animals showed decreased spontaneous vertical rearing activity, as well as decreased cocaine-induced  vertical activity. In contrast, they were more reactive to the direct dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine. Eighteen days following completion of amygdala kindling, kindled animals were more sensitive to lidocaine-induced convulsions; 88% of kindled animals, but only 24% of the implanted sham-stimulated controls, had seizures. These data suggest that amygdala kindling may produce long-lasting changes in selected spontaneous and drug-induced behaviors, as well as convulsive thresholds. Possible physiological and neurological changes underlying this altered responsivity are discussed.
D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D008012:Lidocaine; D003042:Cocaine; D001058:Apomorphine